 Foster Richardson.
Foster Richardson was born in Nottingham in 1890 and was a popular and versatile broadcaster.
He was equally able in concert, opera, and revue. He first broadcast in an orchestral concert in 1927. He started
out singing as he walked behind the plough on his father's farm. He won a scholarship in an open competition, and
studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He found the oad to success was hard, but one day he sang to Sir Thomas
Beecham, and was engaged to sing in the Beecham Opera Company. |
 Paul Robeson.
Paul Robeson could claim to be a singer, actor, lawyer and athlete. He was the son of a
well known preacher and was born in New Jersey in 1898. He was educated at Columbia University where he studied
law. He played two roles in Eugene O'Neill plays, and created a sensation. A new career obviously beckoned, and
he went from stage to concert hall, with his first concert, in 1925, being a great success. He came to London in
1925 to play the lead in "The Emperor Jones" and then came back in 1928 to sing "Ole Man River" in "Show Boat".
He stayed and lived in London, making his first British broadcast in 1929. |
 Stanford Robinson.
Stanford Robinson was the Music Director of the Variety Department of the BBC, and also
conductor of the BBC Theatre Orchestra. His first wireless appearance, when he was still less than twenty
years old, was when he conducted the Wireless Orchestra in March 1924. He founded the BBC Wireless Singers and
the BBC National Chorus. Along with the Theatre Orchestra, these are three BBC institutions long since wound up. |
Clarkson Rose.
Clarkson Rose was born in Dudley, Worcestershire, in 1890, and named Arthur C Rose. His first stage
appearance was at the age of 15, already billed as a comedian. He went on to form his own concert party, and do summer
shows at seaside resorts for over forty years. In the winters, he specialised in roles as pantomime dames. He married
Olive Fox, who he met in 1918, and formed a double act known as "Fox and Rose". Clarkson recorded many comedy songs onto
78 RPM records, but they are quite hard to find today.
Hear Clarkson Rose:
My Austin Seven
Can anyone provide a picture of Clarkson Rose?
|
 Harry Roy.
Harry Roy was born in London in 1903, and was one of the most popular dance band conductors
in the country. He was intended for a business career, but the gift of a clarinet one birthday is said to have
altered all that. With his brother Syd and some friends he formed a band. Soon the famous "Lyricals" came into
existence, and they went on a world tour, visiting South Africa, Australia and Tasmania. On returning to England
he started his own band, "Harry Roy and his R.K.O.Lians". He then went to cafe Anglais where he made his first
broadcast in 1933.
Hear Harry Roy:
Goody Goody
She Wore a Little Jacket of Blue |
